10 Amazing Car Hacks to Start Right Now
The car you drive every day without thinking about it, in fact, has many hidden, yet unknown, useful uses. We have compiled a list of 10 hacks that will make you say, “I didn’t know there was such a way,” or “I wish I had known about it sooner. No complicated knowledge is required. They are methods that anyone can start using today, using only things that are readily available, such as rubber bands and 10-yen coins. Please read to the end and try the ones that interest you. Your car life will surely become a little richer.
(1) “Half tank” of gasoline saves more than “full tank” of gasoline.
Many people may think, “It’s safe to fill up the tank.” However, this may actually have the opposite effect in terms of fuel efficiency. A full tank of gasoline (approximately 50 liters) weighs approximately 37 kg, and this weight constantly weighs down the car, causing it to consume extra energy each time it runs. The heavier the tank, the worse the fuel consumption. The solution is simple: change the habit of filling the tank only half full when the tank is half empty. This alone will lighten the weight of the car and improve fuel efficiency. You may think, “It’s only a few dozen kilometers,” but the accumulation of such a small amount in a car that is driven every day is not to be underestimated. In some cases, the annual savings can be in the thousands of yen. Just by discarding your faith in a full tank, your wallet will feel a little better.
2) A smartphone holder can be made with two rubber bands.
Have you ever wanted to use your smartphone instead of a car navigation system but forgot to buy a holder – have you ever had that experience? Actually, you can solve this problem right now with “something you have” at home. All you need are two rubber bands. Thread one rubber band through the fin of the air conditioner vent, and then thread the other one through as well. Simply hook the rubber bands to the top and bottom of the phone as it is, and you have a solid, instant holder. The cost is zero, and the preparation time is 30 seconds. This is a standard hack that is “unknown” overseas, but it is still surprisingly unknown in Japan. However, it is dangerous to operate it while driving, so be sure to set it while the car is stopped. Be careful of thermal runaway during long-distance driving, and avoid installing in places exposed to direct sunlight. It is more stable with the phone case removed.
(3) A single 10-yen coin is all it takes to determine the life of a tire.
Many of you may be thinking, “I think it’s time to change the grooves in my tires.” But many people don’t know how to check their tires. In fact, you can check it right now with a 10-yen coin in your wallet. Insert a 10 yen coin into the tire groove with the number “10” facing down. If the “10” is hidden in the groove, it means the tire is still deep enough. On the other hand, if the “10” is clearly visible, it is a sign that the grooves are getting shallower. The legal usable limit of a tire is 1.6 mm of groove remaining, which roughly corresponds to the height of the letter “10” on a 10 yen coin, which is approximately 1.5 to 2 mm. When the letter “10” is visible, it is time to consider replacement. This is the Japanese version of the standard check method known overseas as the “penny test. No tools or knowledge are required, and you can do it right now in a parking lot. Shallow-grooved tires significantly reduce braking performance on rainy days, so for your own safety, please try it today.
4) Toothpaste removes yellowing from headlights.
Headlights that were so clear when the car was new have turned yellow and dull – this is a problem that many drivers feel. Cleaning at a professional store can cost several thousand yen, but in fact, you can solve this problem with something you have in your washbasin. All you need is toothpaste. The abrasives in the toothpaste will help remove fine scratches and dullness from the surface of the headlight covers. Apply toothpaste to a cloth or sponge and polish the headlights in a circular motion for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse well with water and wipe off with a dry cloth to complete the process. Choose an “abrasive” toothpaste to use. Whitening products and those containing baking soda are particularly effective. Since the headlights are prone to fogging up again after installation, a thin coat of car wax or special coating will prolong the effect. The cost is practically zero, and there is no reason not to try it.
⑤ ⚠️ WARNING: If you see a “rubber band” on your front door knob, call the police immediately!
This is not a hack technique, but it is a warning you should know to protect yourself. If you come home one day and find a rubber band on your front door knob – do not take this situation lightly. This is most likely a “casing sign” used by burglar and robbery groups. A criminal group will ransack a target’s house in advance and place a rubber band on the doorknob. If the rubber band is still in place when you visit the house the next day, you can assume that the residents do not notice the rubber band and that they are less conscious of crime prevention, making them easy targets. There are three things you should do when you find it. First, do not touch the rubber band with your bare hands and take a picture of it. Next, immediately report it to the police. Then, share it with your neighbors. The reaction of the criminal group is to dismiss it as “just a rubber band,” which is exactly what they want you to do. This is a good opportunity to review the security of not only your car, but your entire home.
6) Putting an old sock over the wipers will result in zero freezing the next morning.
The windshield wipers are stuck to the windshield when you go out on a winter morning – this simple stress can actually be completely prevented in 30 seconds the night before. All you have to do is put an old sock over the windshield wipers. The sock will block the windshield wipers from the outside air and prevent frost and ice from sticking directly to the windshield wipers. The next morning, simply remove the sock and the wipers are ready to use. Thick wool material is recommended over cotton for its heat retention and blocking effect. Before throwing away your old, unused socks, be sure to put them in the trunk of your car. One application is to park with the windshield wipers up. While this will not completely prevent freezing, it will reduce the sticking to the glass. Try this in combination with socks to reduce the stress of winter mornings to zero.
(7) Coke + dishwashing detergent makes the wheels shine.
Do you suffer from “black stains on wheels that won’t come out no matter how many times you wash them? Actually, you can remove stubborn stains with a surprising combination found in the kitchen. The two ingredients used are cola and dishwashing detergent. The citric and phosphoric acids in cola neutralize and float alkaline brake dust and road grime. The carbonic acid bubbles also help soften the dirt, and the addition of dishwashing detergent prevents the sugar in the cola from remaining on the wheels, further increasing the cleaning power. Mix cola and dishwashing detergent, pour it over the wheel, and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes while gently scrubbing with a sponge or old toothbrush. Then simply rinse thoroughly with water. After application, be sure to rinse thoroughly with water. Any residual sugar will make it easier for the dirt to adhere again. Specialized cleaners may be more effective for stubborn iron powders, so it is recommended to try it on light stains first. “No way, with cola?” The wheels will look different with surprise.
8) Vinegar water spray melts the frost on the windshield.
Pouring hot water on a frozen windshield on a winter morning and the glass breaks – this is a real problem that happens. However, you can safely and quickly melt the frost using “something” you have in your kitchen. What we use is vinegar. The freezing point of vinegar is about minus 10°C, much lower than the 0°C of water. When vinegar is sprayed on the windshield, the frost is melted by the liquid, which does not freeze even in freezing temperatures. In addition, the ingredients of vinegar create a thin film on the glass, which can be expected to have a preventive effect against frost. Simply fill a spray bottle with a ratio of 3 vinegar to 1 water. If you spray it on the windshield the night before, you can prevent frost from forming in the first place the next morning. There are two cautions. Vinegar can deteriorate rubber and steel, so be careful to use wipers in an upright position and avoid getting the liquid on the body. If you are concerned about the distinctive odor, you may want to lightly rinse them with water after use.
(ix) Static electricity in a car can be reduced to zero just by changing the “way of getting off”.
Static electricity is the “buzz” that comes every time you get out of your car in the winter. Not only is it painful, but it is also very stressful if it happens every time you get out of your car. In fact, this can be completely prevented by making a slight change in the way you get out of your car. Static electricity occurs when the electricity charged in the car is discharged at once when it touches metal. The solution is to “prevent the electricity from being discharged all at once. When getting out of the car, first, while sitting on the seat with the door open, slowly touch the metal frame of the door with the palm of your hand. Static electricity will escape little by little at this time, and if you slowly move your body out of the car, the moment when you feel the stinging will be gone. The key point is the order of “touching the metal and then moving. If you stand up first and then touch the metal, the electricity will be discharged all at once in a state of buildup. No tools or costs are required, and you can start practicing immediately when you get home today.
10) Slime can be used to dust off fine dust from the interior of the car.
Air conditioner vents, gaps between buttons, seat seams – there are many places in a car that cannot be cleaned no matter how hard you try. There is a way to clean such gaps that neither a rag nor a cotton swab can reach in one shot. That is slime. It has a strong image of a children’s toy, but you can find it at 100 yen stores (Daiso, Celia, etc.) as a “cleaning gel” specialized for cleaning purposes. Simply press the slime against a dirty spot and release it, and the slime’s adhesive properties will absorb and remove dust and debris. Dirt in the back of the vent that could not be removed by rubbing with a cotton swab is solved in an instant. Since slime for toys has different ingredients, use a special product for cleaning. The slime should not be used on leather seats or delicate materials, and should be disposed of once it has absorbed dirt. The effectiveness of this product is so impressive that you will wish you had known about it earlier.
summary
What do you think of the 10 hacks we have presented here? Rubber bands, 10 yen coins, toothpaste, cola, vinegar, old socks – all of these things are readily available. You don’t need any special tools or knowledge. All you need is “know it or not. Try just one thing today. That small step will surely change your daily car life.
